Mordecai in Shusan and Lessons by Evang. Gbenga Aluko

· Introduction to the book of Esther
· The man Mordecai
· The place called Shushan
· The lessons from Mordecai.

Brief about the book of Esther

Book of Esther, is named after the main subject Esther. By the Jewish tradition the book is read on the festival of Purim (which is still celebrated by the Jews till today one month after the Passover), which commemorates the rescue of the Jews from Haman’s plotting’s (a move similar to Hitler’s holocaust).(Hitler’s holocaust although killed about six million Jews but to the glory of God no Jews was killed in Shushan at this time).

The Book of Esther is one of the Megillot, (five scrolls read on stated Jewish religious holidays). The five Scrolls are the Song of Songs, the Book of Ruth, the Book of Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and the Book of Esther.

The book purports to explain how the feast of Purim came to be celebrated by the Jews. Esther, the beautiful Jewish wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), and her cousin Mordecai persuade the king to retract an order for the general annihilation of Jews throughout the empire. The massacre had been plotted by the king’s chief minister, Haman, and the date decided by casting lots (Purim).

Instead, Haman was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai, and, on the day planned for their annihilation, the Jews destroyed their enemies. According to the Book of Esther, the feast of Purim was established to celebrate that day.

The secular character of the Book of Esther (the divine name is never mentioned although His act and hand was felt) is still a subject of discussion in bible circles, the book has ten chapters.

The Man Mordecai

Biblical Meaning:

The name Mordecai means: Contrition, bitter, bruising’. Hebrew Meaning: The name Mordecai means: Warrior. Follower/worshipper of Marduk (Babylonian deity).Mordecai resided in Susa (Shushan or Shoushan). He was exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon under king Nebuchadnezar.

THE PLACE CALLED SUSHAN

Susa (/ˈsuːsə/; Šuš; [ʃuʃ]; Hebrew: שׁוּשָׁן Šušān; Greek: Σοῦσα [ˈsuːsa], one of the most important cities of the Ancient Near East. Susa is also mentioned in the name Shushan, mainly in Esther, but also once each in Nehemiah and Daniel. According to these texts, Nehemiah also lived in Susa during the Babylonian captivity of the 6th century BCE (Daniel mentions it in a prophetic vision), while Esther became queen there, married to King Ahasuerus, and saved the Jews from genocide. However, a large portion of the current structure is actually a much later construction dated to the late nineteenth century, it is in the present day Iran which is in Asia.

THE LESSONS FROM MORDECAI

Ø He adopted his orphaned (helpless) cousin and brought her up as if she were His daughter: Esther 2:7. What is our attitudes towards helpless people around us see the following for further illustrations.
(a) Potiphar’s wife and Joseph Gen 39:7-20
(b) Laban and Jacob Gen 31:28-41(twenty years works changed wages 10 times).
(c) Ruth and Boaz Ruth 3:7-15.

Ø He wanted the best for her and gave her the platform and also followed up: Esther 2:8-11
Ø He was vigilant and upright: Esther 2:21-23
Ø He was instrumental to the deliverance of the Jew from extermination Esther 4:13-ff
Ø With God and a collective effort, A feast was raised which is still in force till today( feast of Purim)Esther 9:20 ff
Ø The Lord fought for him. Esther 5:14 ff
Ø He was promoted in a strange land to second in command another Joseph story. Esther 6:1-10.10:1-3.

SHALOM.

Mordecai in Shusan and Lessons by Evang. Gbenga Aluko
Reviewed by CAC News Worldwide
on
May 08, 2019
Rating: 5